Adding to the burdens of non-profits

October 19, 2006

Two news items struck me in recent days. The Michigan government is giving more wages to workers and government is complaining about not being able to squeeze tax money out of non-profits. Michigan is dominated by the auto industry and Ford and General Motors in recent times have been unable to compete on the global stage with foreign automakers. To further our inability to compete, the government wants to start another handout by increasing minimum wage. It is as if they were to say, "Let us continue our inability to compete by not allowing wage earners to earn increases, let's just give them increases whether they earn them or not." As an afterthought, let's put little businesses out of work. Locally, the ever-growing appetite of government for money wants to burden non-profits with more expense so that they are less able to serve folks government can't serve even with all the money it has. Look at Hurricane Katrina: Non-profits far out-performed the government (except for the military). Let non-profits serve and quit picking on them!

Patricia L. RathSouth Bend

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School leader

I would like to remind the voters in the Adams High School district that South Bend School Trustee Sheila Bergeron did more than anyone else when a former superintendent wanted to close Adams along with four elementary schools, including Madison Primary Center, to keep those schools open. Bergeron started a group called Save Our Schools which held a march, garnered petitions, held a candlelight vigil, encouraged many speakers at board meetings, etc. She organized and led the group and was successful in gaining the support to defeat the plan. After being elected to the school board in 1998, Bergeron quickly led the board to approving plans to renovate Adams and Madison. I believe neither of these schools would exist today had it not been for Bergeron's leadership. These buildings are beautiful and offer upgrading for students. Bergeron has "walked the walk." She was president of the Jefferson School PTO for nine years. She raised thousands of dollars and spent an enormous number of hours in the school volunteering her time for whatever was needed. Where has Bergeron's opponent been since leaving the corporation 13 years ago? No word from him on any educational issue, even Adams closing. Why would anyone support a businessman who has shown no interest in South Bend Community School Corp. since leaving?

Linda BrittonMishawaka

For vets

I totally disagree with Richard C. Cacioppe's remarks (Voice, Sept. 24). The writer said, "I'm worried about who will provide the leadership to protect my family" and "For my family's sake, I'm voting for (U.S. Rep. Chris) Chocola and the people who have kept us safe in the homeland for the last five years." Lest the writer forget that neither political party has kept our shores safe, but our American GIs have given their lives for our freedom and should not have been overlooked by our local congressman, which has been the case during his past term. As past St. Joseph County veterans service officer, former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer's local staff helped me to get more than $2 million back in veterans benefits for some of the 25,000 veterans in St. Joseph County. There are some 60,000 veteran's in our 2nd Congressional District and since Chocola has not been helpful -- veterans, let's give Joe Donnelly the opportunity.

Edward L. OhimeSouth Bend

No Excuses

One incumbent and two retired South Bend Community School Corp. school administrators have been endorsed by No Excuses: Precinct 1, Sheila Bergeron; Precinct 2, Tony Byrd; and Precinct 5, Jodie Ollman. No Excuses, a South Bend school board citizen watchdog group, held a public meeting at St. Joseph County Public Library Sept. 26 for the purpose of endorsing candidates in the election on Nov. 7. The district is fortunate to have six experienced persons campaigning to serve as trustees. Five candidates had submitted vision statements, which were part of the discussion. These statements are available to the public and will be forwarded to the incoming superintendent, Robert Zimmerman. We will be encouraging voters to support Shelia Bergeron, the two-term, effective member of the board, Tony Byrd, the personable and intelligent former Riley administrator, and Jodie Ollman, the retired and competent Clay High School principal. We are pleased that the teachers union has also endorsed the same three candidates. Veteran board watchers commented on Bergeron's display of enduring courage in asking the administration questions that needed to be asked, despite the ridicule and rejection she often experienced while fulfilling her responsibilities as trustee over the past two years. No Excuses has set up more candidates' information nights at public libraries in each precinct. Watch for specifics.